Keep Oregon a state where women make their own health-care decisions

With Anthony Kennedy’s retirement imperiling the Supreme Court of the United States' pro-choice majority, it is more important than ever that our leaders at every level of government stand up unapologetically and unequivocally to protect reproductive rights and health care.

As governor of Oregon, Kate Brown has already shown herself to be one of those leaders. She has worked not only to protect existing reproductive rights, but to expand them.

By signing the Reproductive Health Equity Act last year, she ensured that all Oregonians, regardless of their income or citizenship status, have access to a full range of reproductive health resources — abortion included.

Gov. Brown’s opponent in this year’s governor’s race, Rep. Knute Buehler, however, voted against the Reproductive Health Equity Act, and openly bragged about opposing her efforts to expand abortion access.

In the past, he has also received the recommendation of the extremist, far-right group Oregon Right to Life. All that is unsettling, to say the least.

This is a phenomenally important moment for reproductive rights in America, and we cannot take a single election for granted.

Under Gov. Brown’s leadership, Oregon will remain a place where women make their own healthcare decisions no matter what.